CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic propose new tertiary organisation

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CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic propose new tertiary organisation

The Councils of CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic have today submitted a joint Business Case to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce, proposing that a new Canterbury-wide organisation be created.

The Councils have considered the skills requirements of the Canterbury region as a whole, the emerging issues in vocational and technical education and the opportunities for domestic and international expansion.

They have concluded that a new organisation would best be able to meet the needs of learners and industry; contribute to the regional economy and prepare graduates for employment locally and internationally with work-ready experience and skills.

The recommendation follows six months of exploring options for a sustainable future for vocational tertiary education in Canterbury. The process included seeking staff, student and stakeholder feedback, which was considered by both councils before the final recommendation was made.

CPIT Council Chair Jenn Bestwick was pleased with the process and outcome of the Business Case proposal. "I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to read our Report Back to Staff, Students and Stakeholders on the work to date, who attended forums at CPIT, asked questions and offered their feedback. I believe that through a robust process we have arrived at the best outcome for Canterbury, where CPIT and Aoraki can continue to innovate and expand their learning delivery in the framework of an exciting new organisation," she said.

This proposal builds on the strengths of both institutes; both provide high quality programmes and are strongly engaged in their local communities.

Aoraki was looking forward to a bright future as part of a new organisation. Aoraki Council Chair Janie Annear said learners were at the centre of the proposal. "We had been looking at the best way to respond to the needs of our learners and our community in a sustainable way with innovative quality 21st century regionally based education. What we have come up with is an innovative model, and I'm really excited by the opportunity of what it will achieve," she said.

On receiving the business case, the Minister will consider the proposal and seek public submissions before making a final recommendation.

Minimising impacts of student learning will be the highest priority should the new organisation go ahead. In the meantime students can continue to enrol in both CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic with full confidence in continued excellence of programme delivery and qualification relevance to local and international industries and sectors.